Toy Association Continues to Advocate Against Toy Tariffs
May 15, 2018 | Although toys were not included in the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) first list of proposed tariffs on approximately $50 billion worth of Chinese imports, The Toy Association continues to monitor the issue and advocate to USTR to ensure that toys will not be added to the current (or any future) tariff list.
During the formal USTR comment period, the Association signed onto a multi-industry coalition letter that underscored the negative impact that tariffs would have on the American economy due to higher prices for consumers, higher costs for manufacturers, decreased global competitiveness for American technology and other firms, and fewer jobs for American workers. The Toy Association also submitted comments to USTR on behalf of the industry. The comment period closed May 11.
From May 15 to 17, USTR is holding a public hearing in Washington, DC. Toy Association staff will be in attendance to track developments and will provide members with key updates. Following the hearing, organizations have until May 22 to submit any additional comments.
It is not known when the USTR and the White House will make a final decision on the current proposed tariffs, or on releasing a second list targeting an additional $100 billion in tariffs. While the second list could be released at any time, it is now believed that it may not come out until the process is complete with the initial tariff list.
Questions on this topic may be directed to Ed Desmond, executive vice president of external affairs or Rebecca Mond, senior director of federal government affairs.